Israeli lawmakers push Hebrew-only bill

(JTA) — A group of right-wing Israeli lawmakers is proposing a bill to make Hebrew the sole official language of the State of Israel.

The bill has the support of Knesset members from the Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu and Jewish Home parties.

Current law mandates that Arabic as well as Hebrew must be used in various official functions, including in the court system, government ministries, and official government forms and announcements, Haaretz reported. The law dates back to the period of the British Mandate.

Under the proposed bill, highway signs would still have to include Arabic.

The bill was proposed by Shimon Ohayon of Yisrael Beiteinu and has the support of David Rotem and Hamad Amar of the same party, as well as the Likud’s Moshe Feiglin and Jewish Home’s Orit Strock.